Sunday School Lesson
January 10
Lesson 6 (KJV)
Called to Follow
Devotional Reading: Luke 9:57–62
Background Scripture: Luke 5:1–11
Luke 5:1–11
1. And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
2. And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
4. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
6. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
7. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
8. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
9. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
10. And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
11. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Recite the plot twists in Luke 5:1–11.
2. Explain the nature of Jesus’ calling of the fishermen.
3. Write a statement that rephrases his or her job in terms of Jesus’ call to evangelism.
HOW TO SAY IT
| Capernaum | Kuh-per-nay-um. |
| Cephas | See-fus. |
| Chinneroth | Kin-eh-ruth or Chin-neh-ruth. |
| Galilee | Gal-uh-lee. |
| Gennesaret | Geh-ness-uh-ret (G as in get). |
| Nazareth | Naz-uh-reth. |
| synagogue | sin-uh-gog. |
| Tiberias | Tie-beer-ee-us. |
| Zacharias | Zack-uh-rye-us. |
| Zebedee | Zeb-eh-dee. |
Introduction
A. The Power of Children’s Songs
I don’t think there is any doubt that putting words to music (or even just to rhythm) helps people learn and memorize. For instance, one of the first songs I remember learning in Sunday school was “I Will Make You Fishers of Men.” Even though I don’t think I’ve heard or sung the song in years, both the lyrics and the accompanying motions are still rooted in my memory.
Two generations later, my grandchildren participate in a curriculum group that includes learning facts and concepts via memorized songs. Thanks to one of these songs, my 3-year-old granddaughter was able to keep up with her two older brothers in memorizing all 45 US presidents!
I’m sure my understanding of becoming a fisher of men was quite limited when I memorized the song. But I believe the lyrics made a positive and permanent impression on my developing heart and mind. Looking back, I feel certain that I realized Jesus was extending to me a personal invitation to follow Him. And I grasped that He was offering me an opportunity for fulfilling service: He would make me a fisher of men.
Today we study one of the passages in which Jesus called men to follow Him when they didn’t know exactly what that meant. Allow it to renew and re-inspire your sense that Jesus Christ has called you to something eternally significant.
B. Lesson Context
Luke 5:1–11 is part of the third of six major sections of Luke’s Gospel. These sections present themselves as follows:
I: Jesus’ human relationships (1:5–2:52)
II: Jesus’ baptism and testing (3:1–4:13)
III: Jesus’ ministry in Galilee (4:14–9:50)
IV: Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem (9:51–19:44)
V: Jesus’ rejection and sacrifice (19:45–23:46)
VI: Jesus’ resurrection and ascension (24:1–53)
The third section covers Jesus’ time and energy spent teaching, preaching, and performing miracles. All activities served as demonstrations of the good news, all were essential to Jesus’ mission, and all called for response. That is certainly the case in Luke 5:1–11, today’s text. (Matthew 4:18–22 and Mark 1:16–20 are parallel accounts.)
I. Shallow-Water Teaching
(Luke 5:1–3)
A. Press of the Crowd (v. 1)
1. And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret.
In Luke 4 we see Jesus teaching and preaching in synagogues; now we see Him ministering out in the open for the first time in this Gospel. The lake of Gennesaret was named for the fertile region on the northwest side of the lake (compare Matthew 14:34; Mark 6:53); the word Gennesaret means “garden of riches.” The authors of the other Gospels refer to this freshwater body as “the sea of Galilee” (Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16; John 6:1), and John also calls it “the sea of Tiberias” (John 6:1; 21:1). In the Old Testament it is known as “the sea of Chinneroth” (Joshua 12:3). At 13 miles long and 7 miles wide, this picturesque lake served as the backdrop for much of Jesus’ ministry.
Jesus had just healed many people at Capernaum (Luke 4:31–41), located on the northwest shore of the lake. Reports about Jesus and His amazing deeds “went out into every place of the country round about” (4:37). The result was that the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God (compare 4:42). The phrase the word of God could mean either the word that comes from God or the word that tells of God. Either way, this marked Jesus’ ministry as prophetic for Jews steeped in the Old Testament, (compare 1 Kings 12:22; 1 Chronicles 17:3; etc.).
| What Do You Think? What plan can you create to identify and eliminate distractions that work against your hearing the Word of God? Digging Deeper Would it help to categorize the distractions in terms of “from the world” (example: 1 John 2:15–17) and “from within oneself” (example: James 1:14)? |
B. Solution of the Ship (vv. 2–3)
2. And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
The 1986 discovery of “the Kinneret boat,” dated to the first or second century AD, offers insight into what these two ships may have looked like. Constructed mostly of cedar and oak, the boat measures about 27 feet long, 7 feet wide, and 4 feet deep. It could have supported about a ton of weight—either about 15 passengers or 5 crew members and their catch of fish. (Luke 8:22 may indicate at least 13 people in a boat.)
Fishermen of the era often used a large dragnet, which required two or more men to deploy, or else a smaller and circular casting net. After returning from fishing, they needed to wash and stretch their nets to prepare them for the next outing.
3a. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land.
This was not the first time Simon and Jesus had met (see Luke 4:31–38a). At Simon’s home, Jesus had healed Simon’s mother-in-law from a “great fever” (4:38b–39), and many others were brought there with illnesses and demonization (4:40–41). See also the description of a previous meeting with Simon in John 1:40–42.
3b. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
Boarding the ship solved the problem of the crowd’s pressing on Jesus, allowing Him to still be seen and heard. Jesus then sat down, the normal position for teaching (example: Luke 4:20–21). This was not be the only time that Jesus taught from a boat (see Mark 3:9; 4:1).
II. Deep-Water Miracle
(Luke 5:4–7)
A. The Reluctant Expert (vv. 4–5)
4–5. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
Although Jesus addressed Simon in the first of these two verses, the instructions Jesus gave included Simon’s partners; the word translated let down is plural in the original language. Jesus’ directions would have seemed absurd to a professional fisherman. Simon and his partners had toiled all the night without catching anything!
But Simon had already witnessed the power of Jesus in miracles and teaching (see observations on Luke 4:38–41 in 5:3a, above). Those undoubtedly stood behind Simon’s addressing Jesus as Master, an acknowledgment of His authority to direct Simon (compare 8:45; 9:33). And so the expert fisherman yielded to the word of the carpenter. This is foundational to Simon’s future faithfulness in leadership (examples: Acts 2:14–40; 10:23b–48; 15:7–11, where he is known as Peter—see commentary on Luke 5:8, below).
B. Bursting Net (v. 6)
6. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
Despite the apparent foolishness of casting nets after having “toiled all the night” and catching nothing (previous verse), a great multitude of fishes was caught! If Simon and his fellow fishermen had followed conventional wisdom instead of Jesus, they would not have experienced this miraculous catch. Jesus did not tell the men to cast their net in order to catch a paltry or even ordinary haul of fish: the abundance was such that their net brake. This is also the case in the lives of believers today. Though the blessings we will experience because of our faithfulness are not always obvious or even what we desired at a given time, our God is a God who delights in giving generously to His people.
His giving is not only in terms of quantity but also of quality (Matthew 7:7–11; John 2:10; 10:10b; James 1:17–18). The haul of fish in our text won’t be the last one that obedience resulted in (see discussion of John 21:1–11 in commentary on Luke 5:11, below).
Obedience Before Knowledge
About 10 years ago, our church outgrew its facilities and moved to a new building. For the next several years, our expenses exceeded our income. Then a few years ago, we sensed the Lord calling us to partner with an evangelist to build a Christian school for orphaned children in Gojo, Ethiopia.
It made about as much sense to build a school on the other side of the globe as it did for Simon to let down a net in the middle of the day after catching nothing all night. But the results have been similarly amazing. The year after donating $120,000 to Gojo, we made budget for the first time in our new building. A Christian school that was renting our facilities spent $2.1 million to build an education wing—which we now own and the school uses rent free! Even better, many orphans in Gojo are receiving a quality education and responding to the good news about Jesus.
Follow Simon’s example: you can act for God on His timing before you know completely what He is doing.
—A. S.
C. Sinking Ships (v. 7)
7. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
Simon’s partners … in the other ship were James and John (see Luke 5:10a, below). The blessing of the fish was so overwhelming that both the ships together were barely able to handle the catch! This further emphasizes the nature of the miracle that Luke 5:6 describes.
| What Do You Think? In what ways can you help your church see evangelism as best achieved through partnerships rather than by lone rangers? Digging Deeper What cultural lone-ranger mores might you have to overcome personally in the process? |
III. Simon’s Epiphany
(Luke 5:8–10a)
A. A Sinner’s Confession (v. 8)
8a. When Simon Peter saw it.
All four Gospels mention that Jesus gave Simon the name Peter (Matthew 16:18; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14; and John 1:42, which adds “Cephas”). The Gospel writers refer to him as Simon Peter a total of 17 times, but 15 of these are in the Gospel of John. The text before us is the only such occurrence in Luke’s writings of the books of Luke and Acts). This is important in studies of the Gospels because this man goes by the names Simon, Peter, and Simon Peter; the reference is to one and the same person (compare 2 Peter 1:1).
8b. He fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
Following the miraculous catch of fish, and the breaking nets and sinking boats that result, we come to the third focus of Luke’s narrative. Simon Peter’s response, in word and behavior, was rightly characterized by awe and respect.
Luke uses the word translated sinful man more than the other three Gospel writers combined. Luke’s strong tendency is to use this word in a compassionate way in referring to the targets of God’s grace (compare Luke 5:32; 7:36–48). Realizing himself to be in the presence of a man of God led Simon to the confession we see here.
| What Do You Think? What kind of crisis would have to happen for you to react to Jesus as Simon Peter did? Digging Deeper Did you answer that question more in terms of a crisis of unexpected blessing (Peter’s situation) or in terms of an unexpected loss or potential loss (example: Matthew 9:18)? Why might this distinction be important? |
This scene reminds us of similar ones in the Old Testament. The call of the prophet Isaiah provides one example (Isaiah 6:5; compare Genesis 18:27; Exodus 3:4–6). We should point out that Simon Peter’s recognition of Jesus as a man of God isn’t necessarily bound up in his address of Jesus as Lord at this point. The word being translated that way is often just a polite term of respect, sometimes translated as “sir” (examples: John 4:19; 20:15).
Perhaps a more fitting comparison (given Simon Peter’s limited awareness of Jesus’ full identity at the time) are the actions of Joseph’s brothers when they met him in Egypt. They bowed before Joseph, knowing that he had the power to approve or deny their aid request (Genesis 42:3, 6), but they did not know his true identity (42:7–8). Even so, that did not prevent them from recognizing his authority.
B. The Fishermen’s Astonishment (vv. 9–10a)
9–10a. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: and so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon.
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s business partners, are mentioned by name for the first time in Luke’s Gospel. Jesus would soon choose all three men to be counted among the “twelve … apostles” (Luke 6:12–16; see 9:28–36). But for now the focus is on Simon Peter as these others are mentioned only in passing.
IV. Jesus’ Call
(Luke 5:10b–11)
A. Fear Not (v. 10b)
10b. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not.
Though Jesus addressed Simon directly, it seems safe to assume that James and John could hear the comforting fear not. This phrase previously was spoken in Luke’s Gospel in contexts of angelic visitations to Zacharias, Mary, and the shepherds (Luke 1:13, 30; 2:10, respectively). This suggests that Jesus’ presence was similarly disturbing, perhaps even terrifying.
B. Fish for Men (v. 10c)
10c. From henceforth thou shalt catch men.
Jesus’ words from henceforth reveal that this moment was a turning point (compare Luke 1:48; Acts 18:6). A dramatic break with the past is at hand, and Jesus’ announcement of Simon’s career shift was a masterful play on words and concepts. Unlike fish, which are killed when caught, the individuals Simon Peter would catch would be brought from death to life (Ephesians 2:1–6). Jesus turned a normally deadly activity into an analogy of something precious and life-giving. He was doing nothing less than calling Simon to participate in Jesus’ mission of gathering people into the kingdom of God. Rather than using tools like boats and nets, the fishermen would be empowered by the Spirit (Acts 1:8; 2:1–4; etc.).
| What Do You Think? What can you do to help your church evaluate and improve the effectiveness of its evangelistic methods? Digging Deeper How would you word a prayer for the Lord’s help in this regard? |
C. Forsake All and Follow (v. 11)
11. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
When comparing Simon’s call in the four Gospels, various details make it a challenge to piece together exactly when and how Jesus called him. Matthew 4:18–22 and Mark 1:16–20 record Simon’s calling; these accounts are briefer and include the call of Andrew, who was Simon Peter’s brother. John 1:40–42 records Simon’s calling as a result of Andrew’s meeting Jesus before Simon Peter did. So the call and response may have involved multiple steps, with Luke recording the culminating event: Simon and others leaving their fishing vocation to follow Jesus permanently.
The word they indicates that James and John took Jesus’ words of calling Simon to include them as well. So the three men left their ships, the nets, and the equipment—as well as the greatest catch of fish they had seen in all their lives—to follow Jesus. With one minor exception (Matthew 17:27), this was the last day for three years that Simon, James, and John would spend as fishermen (Mark 10:28; compare John 21:1–14, see below).
In addition to the obvious economic ramifications, forsaking everything brought fundamental social consequences to the men. Their daily routine and their sense of identity would be forever changed. The three had entered into relationship with Jesus, thereby becoming key figures in the community beginning to form around Him.
| What Do You Think? What life changes have you made and will you make to “forsake all” in following Jesus? Digging Deeper Categorize your response in terms of thoughts, behaviors, and speech patterns. |
It is interesting to fast-forward the story by about three years, to the days following Jesus’ resurrection. Having three times denied knowing Jesus during Jesus’ trial (Luke 22:54–62), Simon Peter’s calling as a servant-leader needed to be restored. Once again Simon and his companions fished all night without catching a single fish (John 21:3). Once again Jesus gave instructions to cast their net (21:6a). And once again they immediately caught an incredible number of fish (21:6b, 11). Then three times Jesus told Simon Peter to feed Jesus’ sheep, culminating with the simple command, “Follow me” (21:15–19).
An essential purpose of today’s lesson passage is to convey to Luke’s audience the proper response to Jesus and His calls to ministry. Simon Peter’s confession of his sinfulness (Luke 5:8, above), followed by the three fishermen’s forsaking all to follow Jesus, stands in sharp contrast to what we see in the surrounding narratives. The people of Nazareth rejected Jesus, even trying to throw Him off a cliff (4:29)! Amazed by Jesus’ authority to teach and perform miracles, the people of Capernaum demonstrated the opposite extreme, begging Jesus not to leave them (Luke 4:42; but see a contrast in Matthew 11:23).
In Luke 5 we continue to see both extremes. The common people swarm on Jesus in order to be healed of their afflictions (5:15), but the religious elite who came brought skepticism and opposition (5:21, 30).
The Sacrifice of Goers … and Senders
Shortly after I committed to Jesus, I felt strongly that the Lord was calling me to ministry. I wasn’t sure what that meant. But I responded by leaving Colorado to go to a Christian college and major in biblical studies. I met my Missourian wife there. After graduate school, we were glad to both be hired by a church just an hour from her family.
Two years later we accepted a call to minister in a small church in Pennsylvania. We ended up living there 12 years. Though it was a sacrifice to be far from both our families, I didn’t struggle much with self-pity. But now that our son is grown with a wife and children, I have a keen appreciation for the sacrifice that our parents felt—and that they rarely complained about it.
Forsaking all, as the fishermen did, can take many forms today. What would be a prayer you could pray to invite God to test your willingness in this regard?
—A. S.
Conclusion
A. What’s My Line?
When I was a child, I enjoyed a game show called What’s My Line? Each week a panel of celebrities tried to guess the contestants’ line of work by asking only yes or no to questions. Any Christian who appeared on the show really should have been regarded as a trick contestant. Regardless of that person’s workaday occupation, he or she also had work to do for Jesus.
Do you realize that you also have another line of work? Everyone who responds to Jesus’ call to follow Him shares a common job title and description (see Matthew 28:19–20). The way in which we live out that calling varies greatly. But the key component is that we further God’s plan of extending His kingdom, which is based and built on the good news of His Son, Jesus.
Simon Peter, James, and John did indeed pull up stakes to travel with Jesus. That fact may serve as an example-call to follow today as Christians relocate to the other side of the globe as missionaries. But strong argument can be made that although Luke 5:1–11 depicts the fishermen’s call to full-time, vocational ministry, that text does not thereby serve as a directive that all followers of Jesus must do exactly likewise. Think of the man who wanted to go with Jesus after Jesus delivered him from demonization: Jesus told him to return home and share with the people there what God had done for him (Luke 8:26–39).
Jesus used the disciples’ occupation as fishermen as an analogy of what He was calling them to do in ministry for Him. How could you do likewise regarding your job? For example, if you are a farmer, what would it look like for you to be a “farmer of people”? Whether your calling is to full-time vocational ministry or to Christian witness in the secular workplace or to serve your family as a homemaker, how can you state your calling as a purpose statement for your life in Christ’s kingdom?
Prayer
Thank You, Father, for the privilege of responding to Your Son’s call! Help us fulfill our calls to fish for people. In the Son’s name we pray. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
Followers of Jesus fish for people. Start fishing!
KID’S CORNER
Truths That Defeat Our Troubles
Sunday, January 10, 2021
John 14:24-31
John 14:24-31
(John 14:24) “He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.
Jesus always emphasized that He and the Father spoke with one voice. They spoke and acted in perfect harmony. The words and acts of Jesus were the words and acts of the Father who sent Him. As two Persons, it would not be according to Jesus’ teachings to separate the Father from the Son with respect to their intentions and actions. Jesus always glorified the Father and the Father always glorified the Son. The Son always did what the Father willed, and the Father always did whatever Jesus asked of Him, because they always thought alike as God. If a person loves Jesus, they will do what Jesus says. Disobeying Jesus shows a lack of love for Jesus and His Father. Love for Jesus leads to honoring Jesus and His words by the way we live. The Gospel of John clearly shows the difference between those who walk in the light and those who prefer to walk in darkness. Those who prefer to walk in darkness do not love the Father or the Son; therefore, they do not keep the words (or teachings and commands) of the Father and the Son. Those who walk in the light seek to follow the teachings and commands of Jesus, though they will not do so perfectly in this life; therefore, they must prayerfully trust in the Holy Spirit to teach, lead, and empower them walk in the light. The direction of a person’s life as they follow Jesus, not perfection (which is impossible in this life) indicates whether they walk in the light or walk in the darkness No one can love as Jesus loves unless the Holy Spirit lives within them and loves through them. As followers of Jesus Christ, believers depend on Him in everything.
(John 14:25) “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you.
Toward the end of Jesus’ public ministry, Jesus began to prepare His followers for His coming death, resurrection, and departure for heaven. Jesus foretold these events to them as the prophet of God and the Son of God who would die and live again through these events. He told His disciples in advance so when these truths became facts of history and facts of their experience they would understand and have more reason to trust and love Jesus. Jesus planned to teach them some truths before His death and additional truths after He rose from the dead. He would send His disciples the Holy Spirit to keep teaching them after He ascended into heaven. All Jesus’ teachings follow a reasonable, God-ordained order, and our understanding of them depends on our practicing each truth as we learn them. Understanding Jesus’ teachings as He intends requires obeying all Jesus’ commandments as the Holy Spirit helps us. When we obey Jesus’ commandments, we practice His teachings. If we stop practicing His teachings, we stop learning more from Him and the Holy Spirit—though we may learn more about Jesus and the Bible intellectually. Many of Jesus’ teachings and truths (think of learning how to play a musical instrument) require practice to learn them and apply them effectively according to the will of God.
(John 14:26) “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
Knowing what His disciples would soon be facing, Jesus knew His disciples could not and would not keep His commandments or even remember His commandments and promises without divine help; therefore, Jesus promised to send them the Holy Spirit to live within them. Jesus knew the same limitations would confront all who would believe in Him in the future, so He promised to send the Holy Spirit into the life of everyone who loves Him and wants to keep His commandments. When the Advocate comes to indwell Jesus’ followers, He comes to endorse and promote obedience to Jesus’ teachings. The Holy Spirit will never contradict Jesus’ teachings in the Bible. He will speak in unison with the Father and the Son, because all three Persons are the one true God. He teaches more about Jesus, the meaning of Jesus’ coming, and the right application of Jesus’ teachings as well as remind believers of what Jesus taught. Jesus did this for His first disciples; therefore, as followers of Jesus we can rely on the words of the first disciples and the books we have from them in the Bible. Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to every believer in Him. As we read and study the Bible, we need to pray for the Holy Spirit to teach us all God wants us to learn from Jesus’ teachings for us to practice at our point in time and place. As we continue to grow in faith and wisdom, the Holy Spirit will teach us more truths that flow forth from Jesus’ teachings in the Bible and He will remind us of Jesus’ teachings when we need to be reminded—especially when we face temptations, trials, or troubles.
(John 14:27) “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
As Jesus taught about and prepared His disciples for His departure (immediately after His death and burial, and later after His resurrection from the dead and ascension into heaven), His disciples naturally became afraid for their lives and troubled about what might happen to them if He left them. They began to learn that their early expectations about what Jesus the Messiah would do when He came were not according to God’s plan. They did see the peace that Jesus experienced and enjoyed with the Father, and they enjoyed that same peace when they were near Jesus. So, as they became troubled and afraid, Jesus promised that He would give them His peace, the same peace He knew with God. He would give them His peace when His peace flowed through the Holy Spirit who would live within them. The world’s peace is usually for a short time, a brief respite from hostilities before the next conflict or war. Today and forever, Jesus offers peace of heart and mind to all His followers and peace among all who try to show forth their love for Jesus by keeping His commandments as the Holy Spirit helps them. Jesus commands believers to not “let” their hearts be troubled or afraid. To not “let” ourselves become and remain fearful, we must keep trusting in Jesus and His infinite love for us.
(John 14:28) “You heard that I said to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
If we really love someone, we will rejoice when they physically die and go to the Father and Jesus, though we will always feel deep personal sorrow as the disciples did when Jesus was crucified and buried. We will miss the ones we love. Jesus emphasized that He was both “going away from,” and “coming to” them. He would “go away from” them at His death and burial. He would “come to” them after His resurrection. He would “go away from” them after His ascension into heaven. He would “come to” them when the Father sent the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, to live within them. He would “come to” them again when He came to take them to heaven, to the place He had prepared for them. Someday, He will “come to” His future followers when He comes back to earth as visible and reigning King of kings. In some way beyond our understanding, the Father is greater than the Son and when Jesus was the incarnate Son of God in human form the Father was greater than the Son as He walked upon this earth. The Son always did what the Father told Him, and He always humbly considered the Father greater than himself. We can practice Jesus’ example. In Philippians 2:5-8, Paul wrote, “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.”
(John 14:29) “Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe.
Jesus is our Prophet, Priest, and King. As our Prophet, He foretold what He would do and what would happen before and after His death and resurrection. The fact that Jesus fulfilled what He foretold would happen and what He would do after His death and resurrection are additional reasons to believe in Jesus and everything He taught. Jesus told His disciples about His coming death, His coming again, and His gift of the Holy Spirit so they might have additional reasons to believe in Him and in everything He taught them. Furthermore, the indwelling Holy Spirit would help them understand and keep believing in Jesus as each day passed—He does the same today for believers in Jesus.
(John 14:30) “I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;
Jesus would not talk much longer to them after He finished His Last Supper with them. He would pray with them in the garden before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. He would speak to them again from the cross and in some post-resurrection appearances. After He rose from the dead, He would cook them a meal and talk with Peter and John (see John 21). Jesus maintained His absolute control surrounding all these events, but the time for the “ruler of this world,” the devil, to inspire Jesus’ betrayer and arrest was near. However, Jesus made clear that the devil had no power over Him. The devil still has no power over Jesus. The devil has no power over Jesus or the Spirit of Truth or the Father who indwell those who trust and love them. Jesus was laying down His life and taking it up again to save sinners and free His followers from fear of death and slavery to Satan. The ruler of this world was not taking Jesus’ life from Him. Remember in John 10:17-18, Jesus told His disciples: “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.” In 1 John 3:16, John wrote: “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
(John 14:31) but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get up, let us go from here.”
Jesus loved the Father, so Jesus did everything the Father commanded. Jesus lived a perfect human and divine life on earth. The world would see His death on the cross and from His death on the cross the world would have the opportunity to know that Jesus died because He loved the Father (both He and the Father also loved the world). But the world, under the influence of the ruler of this world, misinterprets the meaning and value of what Jesus did for love of the Father (and for the love that God has for the world to save the world—see John 3:16). As we practice everything Jesus commanded us to do, the world may come to know that we love Jesus and the Father in the power of the Holy Spirt. Furthermore, believers practice what Jesus commanded so many who are lost in the darkness of this world may come to believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. In the Gospel of Matthew, before Jesus ascended into heaven, He commanded in Matthew 28:18-20, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus ascended into heaven as a glorified human being, but He remained with His disciples spiritually as He indwelt them along with the Holy Spirit and the Father. In John 14:23, remember what Jesus promised all who trust in Him: “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” Because the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit abide with us, we love them and want to keep all the words of Jesus as He commanded. As we love them and keep Jesus’ words, we glorify them as the Son glorified the Father and the Father glorified the Son. Furthermore, remember what we learned in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Truths That Defeat Our Troubles
Sunday, January 10, 2021
John 14:24-31
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:26—KJV).
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you (John 14:26—NASB).
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you (John 14:26—NRSV).
No follower of Jesus Christ goes through life abandoned or alone. Jesus still gives His faithful followers the gifts and promises He gave His first disciples. As followers of Jesus Christ encounter an unknown future, they have Jesus’ assurance that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit dwell within them, work within them, and go with them. They have the assurance that the Spirit of Holiness and Truth will help them stand firm and keep loving Jesus, obeying Jesus, and trusting Jesus no matter what they encounter. They know that as they continue doing what they have learned from Jesus that the Holy Spirit will teach them how to act in every situation. As they read and study the Bible day-by-day, they know that the Holy Spirit will remind them of all the truths they need to remain strong and do right—even if they suffer afflictions or persecutions. In the world, Jesus’ followers have always encountered enemies and the one Jesus called “the ruler of this world,” but through His death and resurrection Jesus promised and proved that the ruler of this world has no power over Him (John 14:30). The enemies of Jesus have no ultimate power over Jesus’ followers. Through his faithful obedience, John learned that, “the One who is in you (believers) is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Because Jesus has given believers His peace and many precious promises, we can trust Him when He said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid” (John 14:27).
Thinking Further
Truths That Defeat Our Troubles
Sunday, January 10, 2021
John 14:24-31
Name _____________________________
1. What does a person demonstrate when they do not obey or try to obey Jesus’ words or when they change His teachings about how to live?
2. What did Jesus say the Holy Spirit would do for those who love Him and keep His words.
3. What are some of the ways the peace of Jesus helps those who believe in Him?
4. Why can believers in Jesus rejoice when a fellow follower of Jesus dies?
5. How does Jesus’ teachings about the ruler of this world encourage you?
Discussion and Thinking Further
1. What does a person demonstrate when they do not obey or try to obey Jesus’ words or when they change His teachings about how to live? The person who refuses to obey or refuses to try to obey Jesus’ teachings and commands demonstrates that no matter what they say about themselves they do not love Jesus and they need to repent of their sins and ask Jesus to forgive them and save them from their sins.
2. What did Jesus say the Holy Spirit would do for those who love Him and keep His words. The Holy Spirit will teach them and remind them of what Jesus taught. The Holy Spirit will indwell and remain with those who love Jesus and help them obey what they are learning and remembering from the Bible.
3. What are some of the ways the peace of Jesus helps those who believe in Him? Jesus gives them peace of heart and mind, peace with God, and peace among Christians who love God and one another as Jesus commanded.
4. Why can believers in Jesus rejoice when a fellow follower of Jesus dies? Even though they feel sorrow at their separation from the one they love, they rejoice knowing that the believer who dies goes to the place Jesus has prepared for them and they can be with Jesus and all who love Him forever.
5. How does Jesus’ teachings about the ruler of this world encourage you? The ruler of this world has never and will never have any power over Jesus. Jesus and the Holy Spirit indwell those who love Jesus; therefore, the ruler of this world has no ultimate power over the believer or God. The ruler of this world may hurt us, but Jesus and the Holy Spirit will help us; therefore, we do not need to be troubled or afraid.
Word Search
Truths That Defeat Our Troubles
Sunday, January 10, 2021
John 14:24-31
Name _____________________________
Q N S P E A C E H J H L N H Z
S C R D V W P G E S E U C B O
K G P Q R Y V S H F I A J Q R
P T W S G O U L J R E U X G C
S G H M P S W E W T W Q M R D
Y L O H D E D N A M M O C F N
X K E M E C I O J E R T X A I
J M V B A F J E X B I F K N M
K Z E Y E H Y M T R C G E J E
F U R P C L Q W I A I W D H R
Y B X A E P I P T N C M G T N
N E T R V E S E B Q E O Z K F
P O I P O E B Z V Z V B V J U
Q T J U L K C X A E K G T D K
Z F A T H E R T K V M B W C A
Whoever
Love
Keep
Words
Mine
Father
Advocate
Holy
Spirit
Teach
Remind
Peace
Rejoice
Believe
Commanded
True and False Test
Truths That Defeat Our Troubles
Sunday, January 10, 2021
John 14:24-31
Name _____________________________
Circle the True or False answers. Correct the False statements by restating them.
1. Because Jesus truly loves you and you truly love Jesus, you do not need to do what Jesus says or keep His words. True or False
2. Those who do not love Jesus do not obey His teachings. True or False
3. Jesus taught the words of the Father who sent Him, but He did not obey them. True or False
4. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, the Advocate, the Helper, and the Friend of those who believe in Jesus. True or False
5. The Holy Spirit teaches those who believe in Jesus and He reminds them of what Jesus taught. True or False
6. Jesus gives believers peace, just as the world gives. True or False
7. Those who follow Jesus should be troubled and remain afraid of the ruler of this world. True or False
8. Jesus told His disciples some things before they happened so they would believe in Him and believe what He taught. True or False
9. The ruler of this world never had and never will have power over Jesus. True or False
10. When Jesus obeyed the Father, He showed that He loved the Father. True or False
True and False Test Answers
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
- True
Prayer
Thank You, Father, for the privilege of responding to Your Son’s call! Help us fulfill our calls to fish for people. In the Son’s name we pray. Amen.